Mike Simpson, Training and Employment Consortium special projects coordinator, attended the regular meeting of the Harney County Court on Oct. 3 to discuss the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) program.

According to its mission statement, OYCC “creates meaningful opportunities for youth through significant resource projects that enhance the Oregon Community.”

OYCC offers both summer and year-round programs. The year-round Community Stewardship Corps (CSC) program targets youth who are at-risk, economically challenged, and have one or more barriers to employment. Simpson reported that 100 percent of youth participating in the Harney County CSC program meet the at-risk definition.

He also reported that the Harney County program will receive the Ron Adams Award Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 8:30 a.m. at the Harney County Courthouse.

“It’s a big deal through Oregon Youth Conservation Corps. It’s big with Ron Adams, and I’m going to make it a big deal in our county,” Simpson said regarding the award.

Ron Adams was an Oregon state legislator who served on the OYCC Advisory Committee during the program’s infancy. He later became the OYCC director and started the Youth River Stewards program. Although he retired in 2007, Adams continues to advocate for OYCC, and he serves as an advisor and mentor to the current director.

The Ron Adams Award is given to youth who participate in the OYCC Youth River Stewards program and go above and beyond the norm. Youth from Harney County received high scores in work ethic, leadership, attitude/morale, respect, teamwork, and use of appropriate language.

Programs selected for the award receive a certificate and check for $750.

“The praises are sung at the state level,” Harney County Commissioner Patty Dorroh said regarding Harney County’s program.

According to Simpson, the OYCC executive director said it is “by far the best program that he has visited in the state of Oregon.”

The court commended and thanked Simpson and approved the annual request of $12,500 to support the OYCC program. The funding was already accounted for in the county’s budget process.

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Greg Smith and Denise Rose of Harney County Economic Development  (HCED) attended the meeting to provide an update.

“We feel the first six months went very smoothly, in part, because we were able to turn to the previous director and just ask questions or get introductions,” Smith said.

Indicating Rose, he added, “The first 90 days, probably the smartest move I made was hiring this lady next to me. She knows everyone, and she’s able to get through the door, and that has been awesome.”

Smith reported that HCED helped nearly six businesses get financed over the last year.

“That could take months,” he explained. “To do a commercial loan is different than an auto loan or a home mortgage. There’s a sequence of events that have to play through, and what we try to do is assist them from start all the way to finish.”

Smith said HCED also collaborated with Treasure Valley Community College to provide free, confidential small-business-development advising to 38 clients; is working with the Burns Paiute Tribe to provide a series of classes; and is providing trainings and small-business-development classes for everyone in the county.

He also noted that columns regarding entrepreneurship, economic development, and small-business development will be published in the Burns Times-Herald each month in an effort to create opportunities and remind people about HCED’s resources.

Smith concluded by stating that he appreciates the court’s support and direction and noting that Harney County is being recognized at the state level.

“People are paying attention in a very, very good way,” he said.

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In other business, the court:

• received a letter from Becky Baxter, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Policy Coordinator, stating that Harney County was awarded $400,000 from the CDBG program for housing rehabilitation.

Runnels recognized Administrative Assistant Kerry Opie for completing the application.

“Kerry deserves congratulations for working this through,” he said;

• was addressed by Paul Hyland regarding the bridge replacement project on Embree Lane. Hyland reported that some fencing was fixed, but there is still work to be done, and the road is really rough when you get to the bridge.

Harney County Roads Supervisor Eric Drushella said the final walk-through has yet to occur, but he’ll put some rock on the road and take a look at the fence.

Hyland asked whether the area will be seeded, and Drushella replied that seeding will probably occur when conditions are optimum;

• received an update from Commissioner Mark  Owens regarding the Eastern Oregon Counties Association meeting that he attended Sept. 19 to discuss the Blue Mountains Forest Plan.

“We’re still anticipating being successful in the resolution process to come up with a plan that we can support,” he said;

• agreed that Owens should sign a letter from the court and Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) thanking those who contributed to the Harney Basin Groundwater Study by allowing their wells to be studied.

Owens also encouraged the public to attend the Harney Basin Groundwater Study — Information Sharing and Community Gathering, which will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Central Hotel in Burns;

• discussed water use requests. Every Tuesday, OWRD issues public notices regarding the water use requests that it receives. Owens reviews the notices and reports to the court. Anyone can ask to receive the public notices, and anyone can object to OWRD’s findings;

• received correspondence from U.S. Forest Service Contracting Officer Arnie J. Cole regarding the Flat LP SBA timber sale;

• approved an employment contract for Harney County Counsel Tim Colahan;

• learned from Runnels that the county burn ban was lifted Oct. 1;

• received an update from Owens regarding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood issues.

Owens said funding is available to study hydrology, hydraulics, and the levee. Another source of funding is available to conduct stakeholder outreach regarding proper mitigation for the 100-year event;

• learned from Dorroh that the Workforce Housing Roadmap Technical Assistance Project began. The county received a grant, which it used to hire Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation to create a “road map” for strengthening middle-class housing in the community;

• will hold the Diamond/Frenchglen community public hearing Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Diamond Community Hall. Another community public hearing will be held in Crane Thursday, Oct. 18;

The next meeting of the Harney County Court will be held Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. in Runnels’ office at the courthouse.